2015 NASCAR Thread - And then there was 1

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jahgee
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And we can't forget the distinct smell of beer breath, Back odor and neck funk.
 
I'm thinking about going to Sonoma this year. I get free tickets to Fontana every year but it's a boring track. Can't beat free though. I think Sonoma would be cool to attend logistically.
 
Blood Eagle
I'm thinking about going to Sonoma this year. I get free tickets to Fontana every year but it's a boring track. Can't beat free though. I think Sonoma would be cool to attend logistically.
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I'm jealous. I always wanted to see that track in person.
 
MustangManiac
Dude, was that a joke or just how old do you think Gordo is? You would be hard pressed to find any series that would allow someone on the track with a leather helmet even in the 50's. I had to wear a DOT certified helmet racing in the dirt in the early 70's and Gordon was born in 71 :crazy:
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Yes it was.
 
I still see #43, #21 going strong despite no Pearson, Yarborough, or The King Petty. I even see #3 back. :p
 
Furinkazen
I still see #43, #21 going strong despite no Pearson, Yarborough, or The King Petty. I even see #3 back. :p
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Pearson only won 43 of his 105 races in the 21, not saying the 24 needs to retire (But IMO RPM should switch to 44 and give the 9 to Chase in 2016) but it's not like this where he's never raced anything else
 
It's no different because no other driver has had it done. On the other hand, it is different because nobody else has won a single race in a car numbered 24 OTHER than Jeff Gordon. It is possible that if Gordon wins 6 races in 2015, he would push the #24 past the #3 for 3rd place in all time wins for a car #.
 
My take on retiring numbers? If NASCAR and/or the driver(s) themselves want it retired, then they can do it. If not, then don't retire the number.
 
GTPorsche
Richard Petty doesn't want his number retired.
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I'd say that any driver who won 3 or more championships in one number should be allowed to ask for their number to be retired, should they want it. It would require the driver themselves requesting it, not their family or marketing team or anything like that.
 
Furinkazen
That doesn't confirm anything.
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Pardon the bad(-ish) grammar. What I mean to say was Confirmed. (Gordon is out after '15) Chase Elliot to (very likely) take over the 24/94/whatever number. Again, sorry for the confusion
 
I think I've made this statement to death, but while NASCAR could retire numbers, I don't think it's beneficial, to either side actually. Why? Well to start with unless NASCAR changes their numbering rule, they have 110 numbers to use for each national series, and with at least half those numbers in use during the season it makes retiring them less attractive on the NASCAR side. For the drivers, almost every one of the numbers we would consider retireable became so because of the driver, the number really is so they can be visible, and while yes the number can/does become synonymous with that driver, eventually they do begin to separate, and the number becomes part of the driver's lore.

My opinion? Sorry, but no. Retiring the number isn't going to do anything in the long run. I'm not a fan of retiring numbers anyway, but in a sport where every competitor has to share one set of numbers it makes less sense, and when you hear about the "Gordon would've had #46 were it not for Tom Cruise" story, it makes the number inconsequential for the most part. Retiring the STYLIZED version? That's entirely different. Use a different 3, Dillon and RCR don't get as much heat. Retire this version of the 24? Go nuts.
 
GTPorsche
Dillon is using the same stylized 3 that Childress used prior to Earnhardt anyway.
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I know, but I do think if they had used a different style 3 the backlash, as weak as it ended up being, wouldn't have been as much. They didn't though, so it's a thing.
 
Justin
After his back issues lately I'm not surprised he is calling it quits.

Now, just for fun, let's look at the possibilities for Jeff.

Part-Time: Given the wording of the press release it sounds like Jeff doesn't want to stop racing entirely, so this seems to be a good possibility. However, unless Ganassi wants to field a car for him I don't see it really happening as Hendrick will likely replace him, SHR already has 4 cars (granted that could easily change) and HScott isn't really a top tier team (there is also the below option).

Team Owner: I'm not aware of Jeff ever expressing interest in starting his own team, but doing so would allow him to run part time.

Commentator: Jeff seems like he would be good at it and it would also only mean working half the year.

Hendrick: This kind of ties into the team owner one, but seeing that he already has part-ownership of the #48, a high position at Hendrick wouldn't be out of the question.

Other Racing Series': I don't know if he has any interest in Indy, but I could see him running some races in the USCC with one of the Chevrolet teams.

Retirement: Of course he could also go Mark Martin on us and just disappear for the most part. He does have two young kids so I wouldn't blame them if he just wanted to spend time with them while he can.
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The way it should work out is Jeff would have to drive a Hendrick car and a regular driver sit out! Remember Jeff has the "Life Time" contract and Hendrick already has 4 cars running.
 
24pepsi-draw.jpg


Drop the flames from this and it would be perfect.
 
Retiring a number should be up to the team, not NASCAR or any other sporting organization.

I would not be shocked to see Gordon attempt the Indy 500 in 2016
 
opelgt1969
The way it should work out is Jeff would have to drive a Hendrick car and a regular driver sit out! Remember Jeff has the "Life Time" contract and Hendrick already has 4 cars running.
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Obviously I don't know all the details of that contract, but I'm guessing there is a clause that allows the contract to expire if Gordon isn't running full-time.
 
opelgt1969
The way it should work out is Jeff would have to drive a Hendrick car and a regular driver sit out! Remember Jeff has the "Life Time" contract and Hendrick already has 4 cars running.
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Pretty sure "Lifetime" meant as long as Gordon wants to drive.
 

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